Schools

Stockton College Earns LEED Gold Certification for Campus Center

The certification is awarded to buildings that meet the highest "green" standards.

The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey has been recognized for its construction of the Campus Center with gold certification for its green efforts, the college announced Wednesday morning, Nov. 28.

The Campus Center has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), according to the college. LEED is the preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings in the nation, college officials said.

The Campus Center opened in It is 154,000 square feet, and college officials said it was recognized for energy use, lighting, water, material use and for incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. 

Find out what's happening in Gallowaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“LEED Gold certification is an honor that we are proud to announce,” College President Dr. Herman J. Saatkamp said in a release. “Our hope is that by earning this prestigious designation, we are influencing our students and the community to follow in our footsteps and to make even greater strides towards a healthier environment.”

According to college officials, LEED Gold certification of the Campus Center was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community, including:

Find out what's happening in Gallowaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Optimized Energy Performance – about 30% more efficient than “standard” construction;
  • Community Connectivity – the building is located close to many services;
  • Water Use Reduction – 40% less than with use of “standard” fixtures;
  • Enhanced Commissioning– assures optimal use of complex systems;
  • Use of recycled and regional construction materials and certified wood; and
  • Use of low emitting adhesives, paints, coatings, carpets and composite wood products.

 According to an August 2010 report by the U.S. Green Building Council of New Jersey, of the 97 LEED certified buildings in New Jersey, only 12 are LEED Gold certified, and only one of the Gold certified buildings is on a college campus, college officials said.

“As the largest college campus in New Jersey, located in the Pinelands National Reserve, we envisioned the Campus Center not only as a student hub, but an opportunity to make a commitment to the environment, our students and our community,” Saatkamp said. “We are doing our part to ensure a healthy environment for future generations, and in doing so, there is the added benefit of saving students and taxpayers money by using less energy and water.”

The Campus Center joins the F-Wing Overbuild as LEED Certificate recognized constructs on campus. The F-Wing Overbuild, was recognized in 2007 for the addition of a second and third floor above the College’s original science laboratories, which incorporated lower water usage, natural day lighting, use of recycled and local materials, and green housekeeping, according to college officials.

With the second floor came an atrium space for seating outside the library, with classrooms and faculty offices alongside, college officials said. The third floor is a continuation of classrooms and faculty offices, college officials said.

Stockton College earned 40 credits toward certification, which is beyond that which is needed for gold level certification, according to college officials. LEED certification is based on credits earned for various aspects of sustainability and energy use, according to college officials.

The college earned a Community Connectivity Credit by having 10 services within a half-mile of the campus center, college officials said. Services include a theater, bank, restaurants, bookstore, sports center, library, art gallery, Holocaust resource center and a nature trail.

"The certification was more than three full years in the making, and the decision to strive for LEED was envisioned before the design efforts began,” Stockton Energy Specialist Alice Gitchell said.  “The college first met the seven prerequisites and then went through a design certification followed by a construction certification two years later."

“The Campus Center’s LEED Gold certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council.  “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Stockton serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”          


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here